9. New York City's Greenwich Village (and its off-Broadway theaters).

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Many of the most important new trends and causes in America - the civil-rights struggle, feminism, equal rights for gays, environmentalism, economic equality - got their first hearing in these small theaters, which continue to perform a similar function today, exposing all of us to novel political and social ideas. Here's a remarkable chance to expand your consciousness.

Many of the most important new trends and causes in America - the civil-rights struggle, feminism, equal rights for gays, environmentalism, economic equality - got their first hearing in these small theaters, which continue to perform a similar function today, exposing all of us to novel political and social ideas. Here's a remarkable chance to expand your consciousness. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Many of the most important new trends and causes in America - the civil-rights struggle, feminism, equal rights for gays, environmentalism, economic equality - got their first hearing in these small theaters, which continue to perform a similar function today, exposing all of us to novel political and social ideas. Here's a remarkable chance to expand your consciousness.